Epworth Clinic’s Eating Disorders Team has been named as a finalist in the 2022 HESTA Excellence Awards.
The Melbourne facility is one of three contenders in the Allied Health section of the Team Excellence category.
Its entry was recognised for transforming the care of consumers experiencing eating disorders within a general mental health unit.
Having identified a higher-than-expected prevalence of eating disorders, the team created a new care pathway including critical pre-admission screening, supportive meal therapy and specialist referrals.
The Camberwell-based clinic, part of the Epworth HealthCare group, now has a comprehensive eating disorder program, delivered by a team of nurses, allied health clinicians, psychiatrists and food service staff.
The team plans to provide professional supervision for all staff working with people with eating disorders and expand the service to improve patient support following discharge.
The prestigious HESTA Excellence Awards recognise the extraordinary efforts of healthcare workers in four sectors – disability, allied health, aged care, and community services – with a total prize pool of $60,000.
There are 24 finalists across the Team Excellence and Outstanding Organisation categories, and the eight winners will be announced at a ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday 24 November 2022.
HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said each finalist had demonstrated inspiring leadership, dedication, and a drive to improve care and support for Australians during challenging times.
“HESTA is proud to help share the stories and amazing achievements of these wonderful finalists, who through their work each day demonstrate such care and compassion for Australian communities, improving health and wellbeing outcomes,” Ms Blakey said.
“From delivering clinics and outreach street care for people experiencing homelessness, to supporting bereaved parents grieving the devastating loss of their baby, these professionals help our communities in their greatest time of need. I wish to acknowledge and thank every finalist for their critical work, and the people who nominated them.”
For more information, visit HESTA’s awards website.
The 2022 HESTA Excellence Awards finalists:
Outstanding Organisation - Community Services
St Patrick’s Community Support Centre - Fremantle WA
Women’s Health & Family Services - Northbridge WA
Zonta House Refuge Association - Willetton WA
Team Excellence - Community Services
Health on the Streets Team, Coast & Country Primary Care - Erina NSW
Hoarding & Squalor Team, Catholic Healthcare - Macquarie Park NSW
Treasured Babies volunteers, Red Nose Australia - Mooroolbark VIC
Outstanding Organisation - Allied Health
12 Points Psychology - Bayswater VIC
Firstchance - Mayfield North NSW
Little Wings Limited - Bankstown Aerodrome NSW
Team Excellence - Allied Health
Eating Disorders Team, Epworth Clinic - Camberwell VIC
Mental Health Co-Responders, SA Health partnership - Oaklands Park SA
The Baby Play Academy Team, Western Kids Health - Mount Hawthorn WA
Outstanding Organisation - Aged Care
ACH Group - Mile End SA
Activus Transport, Just4Blokes program - Engadine NSW
HealthX - Petrie Terrace QLD
Team Excellence - Aged Care
Consumer Experience Team, St Vincent’s Care Services - Bowen Hills QLD
Falls Improvement Program Team, Brightwater Care Group - Inglewood WA
Specialist Community Palliative Care Team, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District - Wollongong NSW
Outstanding Organisation - Disability Services
Jigsaw Australia - Frenchs Forest NSW
Jumbunna Community Preschool and Early Intervention Centre Inc. - Casino NSW
Loom Arts and Management - Coburg VIC
Team Excellence - Disability Services
‘Be with Me’ Navigators, Aboriginal Family Support Services - Adelaide SA
Communication eXtra Team - Morphett Vale SA
Down Syndrome Australia Health Ambassador Team - Armadale VIC
HESTA is APHA's Diamond Sponsor
